GH SPECIAL: SEA THE WORLD Holidays afloat
Whatever style of holiday you enjoy on land, you’ll find an equivalent afloat. Beaches or wildlife, cities or scenery? Travel Editor David Wickers shares his insider knowledge on some of the very best cruise holidays
Some of the most stunning scenery on the planet, the world’s most historic cities, its most remote, out-of-the way places, its most iconic experiences and its most exotic cultures are all within your compass on a cruise holiday.
Whatever style of holiday on land you enjoy, you will find a parallel afloat. Beaches and tropical islands? Head for the Caribbean, where more than half the world’s fleet fetches up in the Winter months. Wildlife and scenery? There’s no better way to explore the natural wonders of Alaska, Antarctica or the Galápagos than by ship, nor the Norwegian fjords, the remote shorelines of Patagonia or the far north west of Australia. Many such places would be almost impossible to reach by any other means.
Think of a cruise ship as a hotel that happens to move, effortlessly carrying you from place to place (and usually overnight so you don’t miss anything!). And whatever style of hotel you prefer ashore, from the intimate boutique to the glitzy resort, the family-friendly three star to the luxury classic, you’ll find ships that share the profile.
With an amazing choice of vessels and itineraries, the cry of ‘cruising’s not for me’ no longer holds water. But if you are a first-time cruiser, you may need help to whittle down the options.